Aerodynamics of a Parachute Model with Geometry-Induced Glide

This project is part of a research effort by the T*AFSM to better understand geometry-induced
glide of a parachute model with geometric complexities, and its interaction with paratrooper-induced
glide. This includes analyzing the motion
of a parachute allowed two translational degrees of freedom and the motion of a parachute allowed
two translational degrees of freedom and one rotational degree of freedom. We investigated
the differences between the two models in an effort to develop a realistic model of parachute
performance.

Figure 1. Possible trajectories of a parachute experiencing geometry-induced glide (left) and a velocity field surrounding the parachute in descent(right).